Bollman Hat Co. Laying Off 90 Workers

By Lancaster New Era, Pa.

Mar. 25–Bollman Hat Co. announced Monday it will idle more than 90 workers — about a third of its local work force — due to foreign competition.

Don Rongione, president and chief executive, said the layoffs will occur over five days starting Wednesday.

Rongione, who had warned in January that layoffs were likely, blamed the cutbacks largely on competition with hats made in China.

Rongione said a hat that costs Bollman $10 to produce can be made for $3 in China. But competition from lower-priced foreign goods was not the only factor in the decision, he said.

Fashion trends have fewer people wearing hats while economic trends have retailers carrying smaller inventories, he said.

The layoffs will come from Bollman’s 312-employee work force here, located at its Adamstown headquarters and manufacturing plant, and its Denver distribution center.

Bollman, founded 140 years ago, employs 432 people worldwide.

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